The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-14
YOUNG HOFFMAN,, THE PIANIST.


Correspondence Of the Appeal
Nrw YoRK, Dec. TO- Young Joseph
Hofmann, the musical marvel, is just now
the central attraction and chief topic OF
conversation in New York. Since his first
appearance here, ten days ago, his audi
ences have steadily increased in size until
the capacity of the Metropolitan oper-
house is now fairly tested at every concert
II is hard TO say which is the more won
deriul, the boys memory or his execution;
but one thing is certain, and that Is that
such combination Of genius and talent,
land that in child Of ten years impress
one deeply with the idea OF the supcrnat-
ural or the tfansmiration of souls, or ut
all events, something uncanny. when
this wonderful little fellow trois out TO the
piano, he has every appearance OF strong,
healthy boy, who is bent either ON fun or
mi@hiei, or perhaps both. With some
slight effort he gets himself into position,
and as the pedals are bya particular ar
rangement raised TO suit his little legs, he
is now ready for the work and looks decid-
eLly self-possesscd, and, ~ the ladies say,
"cuie." Neucndroi waves his baton and
We hear the opening bars OF
Beethoycn's major concerto, and
yoilal the child has disappeared,
and in his stead We have great pianist
who encounters with comparative ease
and indifference the difficulties brought
bcione him, and besides gives TO every
thing in his work lis proper value. Though
We were prepared 10 some extent to lind u
certain brlliancy Of execution and pcrlcc.
ton Of technique, the superb shading and
mastery phrasing Of Holmann were I'M
looked for. These show him 10 be born
artist. His almost uncomfortable instinct
10 play is shown very often when, during
n movement for the orchestra, and he IL
supposed TO rest, his right hand goes Lying
over the keys, lingering out everything,
until hc has the field 10 himself again,
All this with perfect nonchalancc. Ills
every selection meets with the most en-
thusiasiic applause, aud his rather large
head is set bobbing up and down In rccog'
milton. By far his most wonderful achieve
mont Is his improvisation ON themes
hitherto unknown 20 him. At each one
OF his concerts thus far some prominent
musician in the audience has been asked
20 furnish theme, whcrupon the boy
under the stcadfast gaze Of about 3,OOl
people, improviscs most beautifully nnd
aristically. Al the first concert NJ. Camille
Gurycx, the Belgian pianist, played three
bars of the Tristan music-part of the
lovo-motii. This was a very difficult thing
for the little man, but when We saw him
impatiently swayng TO and fro in his de.
sire 10 get TO the piano, II was evident that
he was anxiously ycarning 10 give voice 10
the myriad Of musical thoughts then I'LL.
ing his mind. Scarcely giving Nj. Gurycx
time TO get away from the piano, Holman
jumped 10 the seat, and in an instant was
Hitting most deliciously TO and from the
theme Just given, which he would now
lring forth In all lis passionate fervor, and
again would present Il shroudcd In veil
of indcscribahly harmonic complevity. Az
SATURDAYS concert Signor Sapio, Of the
Gcrsier company, played for him the sim.
pie melody OF "rhe Suwanec River" and
The result OF the little fellows improyisa'
ton ON that theme Is best shown by the
spectacle Of moro than half OF the yasl
audience rising and shouting their braves
for this second Mozart. II may be- in
tcrcsling 90 know that lloimann was bon
nj Cracow about ten years ago, and n ih
son Of Casimir Holman, q finished musi
clan, and the instructor Of his wonderful
children. for Il rs said that josef has NJ
Ter who IL almost ~ great genius ~ lac I
josef lloimannis accompanied on his tor
by his father and mother and II y nce'
lcss TO say that he Is mos, carefully nn
jealously guarded; In fact, his prccliviI
Tor boyish sports and exercise finds q
qualification, for everything possibly q
tended with danger or risk ~ ioIbidd,
him. hence Josef has no bicycle. My Al
bcy paws him SIS, 900 for eighty concert
bcsidcs paying his expenses. Mr.. Abb'
has. Ia Josef Holman, ycritahlc 60
mine, and he deserves Il for introducil
u to such wonderful genius.
W NK